Curfew and Section 144 have been imposed in Bhaderwah and other parts of Muslim majority Chenab Valley on Friday comprising Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts in Jammu after clashes broke out between the police and protesters over a blasphemous post on social media against Islam.
On Thursday, the authorities had imposed a curfew in Bhaderwah after people took to the streets in protest against the posts and demanded action against the person, a class 9 student, who wrote the provocative post on Instagram.
According to sources, an official of the Anjuman Islamia in Bhaderwah made an inflammatory speech and demanded the student's arrest for hurting the religious sentiments of a community. After the police registered an FIR against the student, the protesters dispersed.
On Friday, the authorities had to use force after a large group of women gathered outside Markazi Jamia Masjid Bhaderwah to protest against the blasphemy. A huge deployment of security forces, including police, and CRPF, was posted in and around Jamia Masjid.
The clash erupted after police dispersed the protesters using tear smoke shells. The protesters pelted stones at the security forces.
As the tension mounted, the authorities snapped the internet and imposed Section 144 banning the assembly of more than four people in parts of Chenab Valley. The authorities brought in a deployment of forces in Chenab valley because of the Friday congregation prayers.
The police on Thursday had sought the cooperation of the elders of the Muslim and Hindu communities to help restore calm.
After the clashes erupted, SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom, ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary, SDPO Meer Gafoor, SHO Jatinder Singh and tehsildar Shoket Hayat Mattoo immediately reached the spot to pacify the protesters.
According to sources, the situation is under control but tense. Jitender Singh, MP and Minister in PMO, representing the Udhampur-Doda constituency, has appealed for peace.
